Custom Private Tour
Medieval Towns and Traditional Spas of Western Bohemia
Sample Itinerary: This is a private tour which can be modified. Select yor own dates. This can be combined with other eastern & central Europe modules or used as a pre or post tour to our Romania & Bulgaria and/or Poland Group tours. You can visit Prague on your own or request private tour. This tour starts with departure from Prague.
Day 1 Leave Prague at 9am. Heading west, our first stop is Konepruske Jeskyne for a guided 30 min easy walk thru a complex of caves with beautiful sheets of crystalised limestone and stalagtites. We will travel onward to Rakovnik, a small pleasant medieval town en route to Karlovy Vary with a nicely renovated synagogue turned gallery, good restaurant to stop for lunch. We'll arrive in Karlovy Vary approx 4 pm. Check in, rest of day at leisure. Karlovy Vary is a truly cosmopolitan spa town, beautiful, charming. Its' distinct ambience has attracted a sophisticated clientele since the early 1800s, including a number of distinguished artists, politicians and generally the cream of the Old World aristocracy. We will stay in one of the old hotels, the grandeur of the architecture & proximity to the colonnade making this trip memorable. Apart from the most obvious activity which is strolling up and down the colonnade & sipping (free) mineral water from a spout of a special tea-pot like cup, there is a hot springs swimming pool not far from the center (everything is within walking distance). The old, tastefully renovated spa villas are scattered all over the park-like setting of the valley and just walking around is a pleasant & relaxing way to discover all the charms of this place. There are a number of spa services available, from 1hour bubble baths to a dry bath in CO2 to a week long spa procedure, starting at approx $20 for the 1hr.bath.
Day 2 All day in Karlovy Vary, optional trip to the 13cent. Loket Castle (only about 5 miles from Karlovy Vary) or a walk to Stag Leap, a rocky outcrop, viewing point above KV, can be reached by cable car as well.
Day 3 Depart Karlovy Vary for a two hour drive to Cheb, the hub of the region that became part of the Bohemian Kingdom in 14th century, where Albrecht of Wallenstein, supreme commander of the Austrian empire, was assassinated in 1734. Founded in 9th century, Cheb is one of the oldest towns in central Europe. We`ll walk the narrow streets of the well preserved gothic core, visit the Romanesque castle & have lunch in one of the restaurants on the medieval square. Leave Cheb at 2pm, short drive to the old spa town Frantiskovy Lazne. Check in, rest of day at leisure.
Day 4 After breakfast, a short drive to the small spa town Lazne Kynzvart. We will enjoy a guided tour of the baroque mansion of Chancellor Metternich, maverick politician with refined taste for fine arts & one of the most powerful men of central Europe in early 1800s who was enchanted by the beauty of the region. Afterwards, a short drive to Marianske Lazne. Rest of day at leisure.
Day 5 Depart Marianske Lazne for a 120 mile scenic drive to SE along the foothills of the Sumava Mountains, shorts stops in small medieval towns: Horsovsky Tyn, Domazlice, Klatovy. We will explore the sleepy towns on foot, with lunch in Klatovy, visiting the Old Town Square & walking about through narrow crooked alleys. Six miles from Klatovy, there is a remarkable medieval castle Svihov, surrounded by water from all sides. We will enjoy a one hour guided tour. Afterwards, we drive to Prachatice, a pleasant small medieval town. Overnight at Koruna, 3* located in a 15th century gothic house.
Day 6 Morning depart Prachatice for 25 mile drive to Cesky Krumlov. We have a full day to explore with a two hour guided walking tour and then independent time to stroll, shop, relax. Depart at 6pm, arr Prague 8.30pm. Hotels (based on availability): Karlovy Vary: The Romance,the Rose Frantiskovy Lazne: The Three Lilies, The Stone Inn Marianske Lazne: The Bell,The Bohemia Your Escort: Petr Z’dek earned a degree in history, traveled and lived in many parts of the world including extended stays in the United States and Canada. He returned to his native Czech Republic in 2001 and became a dedicated guide with special interest in the European Jewish Heritage.
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